Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Coimbra?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Coimbra or Bologna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Coimbra or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Coimbra or Bologna?
Coimbra
Coimbra is located in Central Portugal in the Centro Region. It's the third largest city in the country with about 460,000 people living in the entire region. It is also where you'll find the University of Coimbra, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe and the oldest academic institution in the Portuguese speaking world. During the High Middle Ages, Coimbra served as the nation's capital and there are archaeological structures that date back to the Roman era.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Portugal, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Portugal, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCoimbra €103Bologna €159
The average daily cost (per person) in Coimbra is €103, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Coimbra and Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCoimbra €44Bologna €87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCoimbra €88Bologna €174
Compare Hotels in Coimbra and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Coimbra or Bologna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Coimbra Hotel Prices and Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Coimbra €11Bologna €21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Coimbra
Also for Coimbra, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Fátima Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $147
- Transfer Viseu - Porto: $157
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Tour Ferrari, Lambo, Parmesan, Vinegar, Wine with Transfer: $503
- Siena: Private Round-Trip Transfer from/to Bologna Airport: $690
- Ravenna/Cruise Port to Torcello (water taxi) - Arrival Transfer: $178
- Ravenna port to Ravenna hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Venice,Piazzale Roma Roundtrip Transfer: $240
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Venice + water taxi - Arrival Transfer: $159
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Murano + water taxi -RoundTrip Transfer: $300
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Burano + water taxi - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Ravenna city or Cruise Port to Bologna Airport(BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $113
- Ravenna Port to Ravenna Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Ravenna Cruise Port to Venice + water taxi- Round Trip Transfer: $290
- Ravenna Cruise Port to Rome Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $288
Is it cheaper to fly into Coimbra or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Coimbra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCoimbra €48Bologna €39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chanfana: Cooking Traditional Portuguese Cuisine Experience: $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Coimbra €18Bologna €38
Tours and Activities in Coimbra
For Coimbra, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $5.45
- Coimbra's Historical Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Historical Highlights: $6.99
- Tomar: Unveiling the Templar Order with a Self-Guided Tour: $7.62
- Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.65
- Coimbra Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Tomar Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Discover Coimbra's Legacy through a Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Portugal dos Pequenitos entry ticket: $16
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)€31
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)€115
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)€67
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)€12
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)€12
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- the red medieval pearl and its delicious food (private tour): $284
- 2 Hours Bologna Guided Private Tour for Kids and Families : $179
- 2-Hour Bike Tour to Discover Bologna's Squares and Monuments: $147
- 2-Hour Walking Tour Discovering the "Musical" Side of Bologna: $71
- 2.5-hour Bologna City and University Walking Tour: $131
- 3 hours walking tour with tastings: Bologna "La Grassa": $185
- Art and taste tour: from Magnani Rocca to Parma ham: $210
- BOLOGNA FOOD WALKING TOUR (morning or evening PRIVATE tour): $207
- Best of Private & Personalised Walking Experience: $81
- Best walking tour of Bologna: $158
- Bike Tour Bologna: $142
- Bologna - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $374
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCoimbra €12Bologna €28
Sample the Local Flavors in Coimbra
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Coimbra:
- Wine Tasting Experience in Portugal: $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Coimbra and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Coimbra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Coimbra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Coimbra and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Coimbra.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Coimbra Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Coimbra or Bologna?
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Coimbra. When comparing the sizes of Coimbra and Bologna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Coimbra or Bologna?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Coimbra or Bologna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Coimbra as well as Bologna. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
Coimbra is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Coimbra this time of the year. In the summer, Coimbra often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Coimbra gets 308 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.
Coimbra usually gets less rain in July than Bologna. Coimbra gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCoimbra 23°C (73°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Bologna in the Autumn?
Both Bologna and Coimbra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Coimbra is a little warmer than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Coimbra in October average around 18°C (65°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).
Coimbra usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during autumn. Coimbra gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. It's quite rainy in Coimbra. In October, Coimbra usually receives less rain than Bologna. Coimbra gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCoimbra 18°C (65°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Bologna in the Winter?
Both Bologna and Coimbra during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. In January, Coimbra is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Coimbra average around 11°C (51°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Coimbra often gets more sunshine than Bologna. Coimbra gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Coimbra. Coimbra usually gets more rain in January than Bologna. Coimbra gets 139 mm (5.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCoimbra 11°C (51°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Coimbra or Bologna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Coimbra and Bologna. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
Coimbra is a little warmer than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Coimbra averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In Coimbra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Coimbra usually receives more sunshine than Bologna during spring. Coimbra gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Coimbra usually receives more rain than Bologna. Coimbra gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCoimbra 15°C (59°F)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Coimbra
| Coimbra | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 11°C (51°F) | 139 mm (5.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | 12°C (53°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (56°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (65°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 11°C (52°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.